Showing posts with label home remedies for headache. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home remedies for headache. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Headache Causes and Home Remedies

Headache, also known as cephalgia, is a pain that occurs any where in the head or upper neck. Headache is something which we all have suffered from some time or the other. Headache may be classified in to three broad groups: primary, secondary and cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Primary headaches again may be divided in types like tension headache, migraine, cluster headaches and some other rare types. Tension headache is the result of emotional stress or physical stress like that caused by prolonged manual labor or sitting at computer or desk for long hours.

The muscle covering the skull responds to stressors by entering in to spasm and causing tension headache. Tension headache is not that debilitating and people can carry out daily tasks despite headache. Migraine headache is the result of dilation of blood vessels, exerting pressure on the nerve fibers that coil around the arteries in brain. The pressurized nerve fibers respond by releasing pain causing chemicals. The triggering factors for migraine are heredity, eye strain, shock, gastrointestinal problems, strong emotions, exposure to heat etc. Cluster headache is the result of malfunctioning of the hypothalamus of brain.

Cluster headache is triggered by factors like heredity, changes in sleep pattern, smoking, alcoholism, certain medications etc. Cluster headache may last for weeks or months. Secondary headache originates from underlying disease or injury. The causes of secondary headache include head injury and subdural, epidural or subarachnoid bleeding, concussions, neck injury, stroke, carotid artery inflammation, Arteriovenous malformation, brain tumors, brain cancer, seizures, infections like meningitis, encephalitis, AIDS, influenza and pneumonia, certain medicines, diseases like hypertension, hypothyroidism etc, dehydration, renal dialysis, ENT and dental problems, mental disorders etc. Cranial neuralgia is caused by the inflammation of nerves in head and upper neck.

Home Remedies for Headache

1. Mix 200 ml spinach juice and 300 ml carrot juice to make half liter and drink. This cures migraine headache.

2. Consume ripe apple early morning in empty stomach, after sprinkling salt on to the cut pieces. This is a proven home remedy for headache.

3. Apply a paste made out of half teaspoon cinnamon powder and water on forehead to get relief from sinus headache.

4. Rub henna flowers in vinegar and apply on forehead. This cures heat induced headache.

5. Boil fresh ginger in water and then inhale. This relieves sinus headache.

6. Inhalation of steam given out by a tumbler containing boiled water with 8-10 drops of eucalyptus oil in it is an effective sinus headache remedy.

7. Apply a layer of pounded lemon crust on forehead. This will free you from headache due to heat.

8. Application of sandalwood paste on forehead relieves headache.

9. Immerse feet in a bucket of hot water for 15 minutes every night before going to bed. This will release you from chronic headache.

10. Intake of 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel thrice a day is a cure for headache due to hyperacidity.

11. Application of hot fomentations over abdomen relieves headache due to gastrointestinal disorders.

12. Make a paste out of 3-4 cloves and water. Apply on forehead to check headache quickly.

13. Pour 2-3 drops of cow's butter in the nostrils. This prevents sinus headache.

14. Mix watermelon seeds and Cuseus grass and grind the mixture to powdered form. Take 3 grams of the powder regularly. This is an effective home remedy for headache.

15. Drinking a glass of water by adding 1 teaspoon honey in to it in empty stomach is a useful headache treatment.

Read more Home Remedies for Headache. Also know useful Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Use Effective Headache Home Remedies and Natural Treatments

The ache or pain experienced in the head is called a headache. This pain and discomfort may be for a short duration or for a prolonged period of time. Headache may be felt in a specific area or in more than one location. There are different kinds of headaches.

One type is called Tension. This happens when the muscles tighten and become stiff. It usually starts at the back, near the base of the skull. The area near the temples of may feel tight. This kind of headache is the most common kind. The causes may be various including stress, depression, strain on eyes, exertion and little or irregular sleep pattern. Physical and mental stress can trigger the pain.

The other kind of headache is the migraine. Migraine creates discomfort due to pain. Pain can be felt as a throbbing pain. It usually affects one side of the brain. Migraine can cause disturbance in the vision. It can cause sensitivity to sound and light.

Another kind is the Sinus headache. Due to infection in the sinus cavity, one can experience pain in the face where the sinus cavities are present. Nasal discharge is common in headache.

Cluster headaches cause sharp pain and come in clusters like the name suggests. It can make the eyes and nose watery. Cluster headaches are more serious but are rare.

Slight aches are not life threatening but some kind can be present as a symptom of a more serious illness like a head injury, neck injury, blood pressure problem or brain tumour.

The severity of pain is different in different people. It could be a genetic problem running in the family. A change in sleeping pattern, some medication, excessive alcohol, indigestion, low blood pressure, allergies, acidity and even some strong smells can trigger a headache.

Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen is taken for such aches. But these over the counter drugs often have side effects. They can cause drowsiness or the increase in the heartbeat. Some medicines do not go well with the stomach and digestive process of the person. Home remedies can be followed for relief. Some of the home remedies for headache are as follows

1. Apple: It is said "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Eating an apple is said to provide relief from the pain.

2. Sandalwood paste: Make a paste of sandalwood and apply it on the effected are. Let it dry, and then wash off.

3. Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil can be gently massaged for a soothing sensation.

4. Lemon: Take lemon juice or apply fresh lemon rind where the pain exists.

5. Wet Towel: Immerse a small towel in water and squeeze out the water. Put this towel on the head.

6. Oil Massage: Take some drops of oil and gently massage into the scalp. This process will improve blood circulation in head.

7. Cinnamon: This spice is beneficial. It can be applied in form of paste of included in the diet.

Eat healthy and exercise regularly or do yoga to remain stress free. Drink plenty of water and get enough rest and sound sleep. Try not to strain your eyes by the constant glare of the television or computer. Do not read in poor light, it also cause headache.

Read more Home Remedies for Headache. Also know Home Remedies for Obesity.